The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Regional Hughesville Campus, Center for Trades and Energy Training (CTET) has achieved a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold designation from the U.S. Green Building Council. It is the first time that a CSM building has earned the gold environmental design and sustainability award.

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) will host a Career Development Open House and Apprenticeship Appreciation Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18 at the Center for Trades and Energy Training (CTET) at the Regional Hughesville Campus.

A Career Development Open House and Apprenticeship Appreciation Day will be held Nov. 18 at the Center for Trades and Energy Training (CTET) Building at the College of Southern Maryland’s Regional Hughesville Campus.

The event is an opportunity for current apprentices, their employers and members of the public interested in trades education to tour the campus and participate in free training sessions, such as “General Introduction to the Skilled Trades,” “Construction Site Safety” and Fundamentals of Crew Leadership. “These sessions will be taught by experienced craftsmen and CTET instructors,” said CSM Director of Trades and Energy Training Bruce Posey.

Current CSM trades students will be on hand to talk to visitors and share their own experience with CTET programs.

Matthew Higgins, 23, of Great Mills is one of those students. An employee at A&G Electric in Mechanicsville, Higgins also takes classes in CSM’s electrical program as he works toward his goal to earn his master journeyman license and maybe someday own his own business.

“CSM helps me learn the technical side of things that I would most likely not receive out in the field,” Higgins said.

Higgins said that he particularly appreciates the hands-on lab portion of his CSM instruction, which allows him time to better understand tasks.

“I would highly recommend the program to anyone that is thinking about getting into the electrical field,” Higgins said. “If you are thinking about taking the program, just take the leap and do it. You learn a ton of information, and it helps you see the multiple sides of the field. If you have been in the field for a while, it is still good to learn the technical side of things so you can understand why you do the things you do.”

Like Higgins, Constance Coggins, 27, of La Plata is a CSM student studying at CTET. Coggins is working to someday start a construction company with her sister. Coggins is studying Successful Construction Contracting, Crew Leadership and Construction Project Management at the college.

“The best aspect of the programs at CSM is the experience the instructors bring,” Coggins said. “All of them have worked in the trades and know it inside and out … All the courses make you more competitive in the workforce.”

The Career Development Open House and Apprenticeship Appreciation Day is designed to give potential students a chance to meet with current students like Higgins and Coggins, employers, instructors and staff to learn about the many opportunities in the skilled trades and construction industry. There will be CTET door prize giveaways throughout the day. Light refreshments will be served and a food truck will be available for meal purchases.

For information about the event, call 301-539-4730 or email conedops@csmd.edu.

Calendar

CSM Career Development Open House and Apprenticeship Appreciation Day. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Nov. 18. College of Southern Maryland, Regional Hughesville Campus, Center for Trades and Energy Training (CTET Building), 6170 Hughesville Station Place, Hughesville. Current apprentices, employers and the general public are invited to attend a Career Development Open House and Apprenticeship Appreciation Day. Representatives will be available to answer questions regarding careers in trades, healthcare, transportation, business and information technology, hospitality and more. There will be campus tours and free training sessions, including “General Introduction to the Skilled Trades,” “Construction Site Safety” and “Fundamentals of Crew Leadership.” Potential students can meet with employers, current students and instructors to learn about opportunities in the skilled trades and construction industry. There will be door prize giveaways and light refreshments. A food truck will be available for meal purchases. 301-539-4730, conedops@csmd.edu, https://www.csmd.edu/about/locations/center-for-trades-and-energy-training/.